Well, I went over to my uncles that used to fly planes today and he gave me a plane. Its a thunder tiger GP 25 challenger ARF. I'm in the process of putting it together and so far I have the wing put together and I'm working on the tail section. I have also mounted the landing gear. Now the question, is this a good starter plane? I was looking at .40 size planes and this is only a .25, is that bad? Is it going to be harder to fly? I think it was made in 1996 but he handed me the box all sealed up, never opened. Also whats a good, somewhat cheap (because I'm going to buy a better one preaty quick after I get some flights) engine that will fit it? Sorry for all the questions but I'm kinda lost and my uncle isint where he can talk to me (buisness trip) Thnaks for the help!

There isn't that much difference between a .25-size plane and a .40-size. Your TT Challenger should fly fine on most .25-size engines like the TT GP-25 or the O.S. .25 LA. You might even want to consider the new Thunder Tiger GP-28 that was recently introduced. It has some new construction features designed to make it more reliable and lower maintenence, and it's very reasonably priced:

[link=http://www.acehobby.com/ace/TTR9028.htm]Thunder Tiger GP-28 info[/link]

[link=http://www.infinitehobbies.com/moreinfo.php?pid=1990]GP-28 $69.99 @ Infinite Hobbies[/link]

Of course, your local hobby dealer is a Thunder Tiger reseller, so he should have no problem ordering the engine in for you as well. Just ask for part number TTR9028.

Good luck and good shopping!

OK, thanks. Thats a big relief to know my plane is about the same size as the one I was looking at previously. I will look into the new TT 28, it sounds like a good motor. Thanks again

Good luck with it....WARNING: R/C PLANES ARE HIGHLY ADDICTIVE. YOU MIGHT FIND YOURSELF CHOOSING FLYING OVER FAMILY FUNCTIONS.


I am in the process of building my second plane(gp super sportster).....Trying to get it done by Sunday.....and already planning my next plane after that(unsure>>>>prob a pattern plane - VENUS .40?).....IM SICK...IVE BEEN INFECTED. My giflfirend keeps asking me when we are getting engaged...I tell her I cant afford it because I have planes to buy.

"Might"?? ( or "will" )

Could be "lack" of will....

I'm going to look at engines so I have some questions. What range of engine sizes should I look at? Whats the biggist engine I could pack onto the plane? Would a .40 fit? Thanks

Well of course you can shoehorn a .40 in it but I thought you said it was a .25 model? If that is the case I would not look beyond the .25-.30 range. The TT.28 that was recommended earlier is a great choice.
Good luck

I really wasent planning on stuffing a .40 in it I just wanted to know if you could. So I shouldent look at anything over a .30? That sounds preaty good. I'm going to the hobby shop tonight and looking for an engine so I will see what I can come up with. If they dont have anything, A person on the fourms e-mailed me with on offer on a magnum .25 for 50 bucks. It was run on the bench and wasent even broke in. Are those good motors? Thanks

LOL, Buy EVERY THING NOW !!! before it's to late...

I need to add on to my question above... Where can I even find a .25 size engine? I went to my LHS and they didint carry any and tower dosent either. Any help is appreciated

Tower carries a lot of .25-size engines:

http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0093p?&C=GCC

Also, my initial response (2nd post in this thread) above has a link to Infinite Hobbies who is selling the Thunder Tiger GP-28

Sorry about that last post, I was clicking on the Non-RC .20 to .40 catorgory... So I found an O.S. that I like. I didint want to get to expensive so I found this one and it looks like a strong runner. heres the link http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXBY16&P=0 I dont know anything about these so does anyone know if thats a decent running engine? I'm not looking for power, i just want something that will hold a tune preaty well and will keep running good for awhile.

That .25 LA is a great choice. It's plenty powerful for its size, easy to tune, and reliable.

Engines with bushings instead of ball-bearings run best with plenty of castor oil in the fuel for lubrication. If you buy fuel with 100% synthetic oil, it won't really hurt anything, but the engine won't run at peak efficiency and it may tend to leak a little bit of fuel.

10% nitro fuel with 20% all castor oil lubrication is ideal for flying bushing two-strokes like the O.S. Max LA series, the Thunder Tiger GP series, the K&B Sportster series, or Norvel bushing engines.

The problem is that many local hobby stores don't stock fuel with 100% castor oil lubrication or even 50/50 synthetic and castor blend anymore. Most of the off-the-shelf fuel tends to be either 100% synthetic lubrication or 80% synthetic and 20% castor oil. Castor oil is thicker than synthetic lubricants. Castor oil is great for protecting your engine for this reason, but it can be sloppier to clean up off of the side of your airplane. Many pilots avoid castor oil simply to make cleaning their plane at the end of the day less of a chore.

If you can't find fuel with better than 80/20 synth to castor oil content, you can simply buy extra castor oil from the hobby store or from your local pharmacy. Add a half a cup of castor oil to your gallon jug of glow fuel, and your bushing engine will run smoother, build better compression, leak less fuel, and run stronger.

One more sugestion. Check with your local AMA club. Members are always eager to help beginners. Someone probally has a good engine and can help you with the construction and learning to fly. No matter how small the engine is, they are not toys and can hurt you

I have the OS.25 L.A in a GP .20 Cub. It is inverted and was a nightmare to get to idle . Went to a Fox glowplug with an idle bar and it improved the idle. Once broke in, it has been a very good engine. Sips fuel and the power was surprising turning 9x6 APC.
I got a new LA 40 with a trade and gave it to a friend who installed it on his Sig Kadet MKll . After a few tanks the engine has also been a great little engine. And no problems what so ever mounted upright.
Big Ed is right about the castor. I run Omega 15% in all my engines 80/20 blend .. The .25 has about 3 gal of fuel thru it , which is alot of flying considering it flies forever on 6 oz. fuel. And after 3 gals, it just seems to get better.

I do like the sounds of this... minus a little extra clean up it sounds like a win-win situation. I run 15% Cool Power at the moment in my GMS .25 BB. Might have to pick up some castor oil.

somegeek